PART 2: THE BANDS

ABHORER- Bidadari Desecrators!

 

ABHORER/NECROPHILE- Split LP '90

ABHORER in the process of "Tombcrushing"!

ABHORER - What a way to start the bands list! Should there be one Singaporean black/death metal band, let it be ABHORER, the most infamous legend of a desecrator from this tropical graveyard! The band was formed in '87, rising out from the sinful ashes of PERFIDIOUS and they were the older Singaporean black/death metal band in the league of NUCTEMERON, DREAD, CRUCIFUCKTOR, CEMETRY and THARTARUS. In '89, they released the most cult and groundbreaking work in local death metal scene, namely "Rumpus of the Undead" demo, which became a vital piece of black/death metal history in the underground! Their lineup accordingly was Crucifer (vocals), Exorcist (guitars), Corpse Grinder (bass) and Tombcrusher (drums). Note that they were also the first Singaporean band to use pseudonyms. The demo material impressed the French VIRULENCE records so much that they were offered a deal to record an LP but out of a complication to travel that far, the evil demigods turned down that offer. However, the demo was subsequently reissued on a split vinyl with the Japanese black/death metal gods NECROPHILE's collection of tracks from '87 to '90 and that side was titled "Deride the Remedied". It was put out by DECAPITATED/WIPE OUT records in '90, Panos' previous label before UNISOUND. This split release is one of the most valuable and sentimental treasure in my collection and their raging black metal tracks like "Diabolic Epitaph", "Repudiated Faith", etc were simply timeless with the totally underground atmosphere of inferno, the guitars are played in blitzkrieg of screaming vengeance, the vocals are gruff diabolic command of evil and the drums are insane battery. However, upon the release of this legendary split vinyl, the band deliberately went into a hiatus, with many of the local metalheads believing that the band had R.I.P. However, it was simply their attempt to break away from a new breed of black/death metal bands that striked the scene in the second waves, which simply had little regards or knowledge of pioneers like ABHORER. But during that period of time, these real life satanic gangster trashes began to work on towards establishing their own identity and in '93, shocked the underground with the release of "Upheaval Of Blasphemy" 7" EP on SHIVADARSHANA productions, constituting two tracks of desecrating black/death metal with a powerful crushing productions superior to the demo and as well as much tighter musical proficiency. In '96, they released their debut full length album on digipack CD on the same label, titled "Zygotical Sabbatory Anabapt" where they delivered their most modernised approach to black/death metal with very technical riffings and a thoroughly intense "warring" style (sounds quite similar to BELIAL's debut "Wisdom Of Darkness" though) that together with bands like SARCOFAGO and BLASPHEMY influenced much of today's "war metal" bands. These Bedok Sarcofago gangsters officially R.I.P. after this release but they lived in eternal notoriety as THE Singaporean black/death metal gods!

The Antichristian Executioners of BEHEADED NASRANI!

BEHEADED NASRANI- More commonly known as BEHEADED to overseas fans, but there is a significance for BEHEADED NASRANI as it makes more senses when translated into "Beheaded Christians" if you know Arabic. Yes, the band makes severe antichristian statement, and it is formed by Azman, the original vocalist from PROFANCER  when he left its bitter shadows into yet darker waters of blackened doom death metal. They've got a promo from '91 which was simply titled "Nasrani" with three tracks of excellent dark metal and one atmospheric intro. Even the coverart for the demo was drawn by none other than the infamous Thorncross Moyen! The lineup is Azman (vocals), Sham (bass), Azizi (aka Bob, the editor of "EVIL ROTTING" zine on guitars) and Azni (drums). Clocking at three quarter of the time are slow doom death sections but there are sudden noise grind blast beats combustion and crazy leads somewhere in those tracks.  "Spiritual Prevalence" is the most upbeat track which rocks along to midtempo with old ghosts of PROFANCER hovering all about!  The other two tracks like "Millenium" and "Nasrani...Lost Forever" are slower, but not retarding to slothness. This band exudes greater potential but they didn't get pass beyond its cult status which means yet another forgotten chapter in the underground. The members then moved on to form PROFANATION at a later date.

 

BEHEADED NASRANI Demo '91

BELIAL Demo '93

BELIAL - BELIAL, the name itself of course makes one think of the other ones from Finland (or Columbia and Chile if you're a hardcore deathster), but this does not deter them from making good black death metal music. The famous northside band started in '90 and recorded their first self-titled demo in '92, without their old bassist Hisham (who was then also in BEHEADED NASRANI). But he went back and the band became a quintet with their second demo release. The lineup for the first demo release, which is sold well locally and overseas is of date Zaki (vocals), Zaini (bass), Nazim (guitars) and Tahar (drums). The demo tape is a thoroughly heavy slab of pure raging old-school death metal. Think of the primitive brutal power of AUTOPSY and the craftedness of MORBID ANGEL and BELIAL came pretty much close to that description. The productions is one of the best for a band of their time and it certainly bring out the clarity and fearsome energy of tracks like "Seducer of Mankind", "Mortal Schizophrenia" and "Demon's Rise", which is the most desecrating, raging track I've heard for a while. Then they released their demo 2 in '93, which is a much improved release with the addition of Hisham (bass), therefore back together against as a quintet. The tracks like "The Spell", "Eternal Rest", "Corpse Feast" and "Reality Forgotten" showcase their potential as top death metal musicians but some argue that with this demo, they've lost their raw touch. I personally think that the second demo is much better than the first.

 

BELIAL seducing mankind!

BESTIAL COLONY Demo '91

BESTIAL COLONY- Before the mighty VRYKOLAKAS, Nefarious (Khairil) first band is BESTIAL COLONY, with only one strictly handnumbered demo (a rarity!!!) out in the circuit titled "Universal Decay" in '91 and this is a work that breathes the wild, crazy underground spirit! In juxtaposition with the brutal technicality of later VRYKOLAKAS, this is like a complete anti-thesis, a work that is so primitive it almost seems ridiculous even for a band like HELLHAMMER but it is plenty of great regressive black metal fun. On this lineup, it goes by Doomcaster (vox), Infernal (guitars), Behemoth (bass) and of course the necropervert Nefarious (drums)! On this demo are five tracks of infernal darkness, some of my favourites are the rather interestingly composed numbers like "Eternal Punishment", "War Of The Unseen" and "Resurrection" (hehe this is the BEST, with that total midtempo punk beat and evilness!). I have heard that they had originally a track by the name of "Hallucination" but they opted it out on the demo. Try to imagine a band trying to outdo the debauchery that is "Triumph of Death", or rather SAMAEL crossed with more twisted ideas, and of course much more sincerity. This is a tape that I happen to enjoy very much, despite the fact that VRYKOLAKAS outdo BESTIAL COLONY in every possible aspects.

 

BLOOD ANGEL- This is one interesting local black/death metal band featured here that perks up the tired reviewer of me. They were part of the "second wave" of black metal onslaught that shook the shores of Singapore in the early '90s, along with notable bands like DEBAUCHERY, BEHEMOTH, SEVENTH GATES, etc and had a fair share of controversy with the release of their debut demo tape "In Evil We Trust" in '92, which obliges any listener to discussion. From start to end, the demo is rather half-assed and even hilarious from point to point, but then it could be intentional for that result. The lineup behind the demo consisted of Brutal Bot (voxx), Aye (guitarz), Talib (guitars) and Nazri "Sotong" (drumz) and they kicked up a good satanic stew of speed/noise death core with thrashing up a good time like WEHRMACHT and early SOOTHSAYER, which really forces one to raise an eyebrow when "The Unholy Of God" kick start the action. By the time you hear THAT lead guitars from "Death To Poser", you'd swear that it is the catchiest, funniest bit of idiot savant you've witnessed in your life time, which could have been ripped from a P.Ramlee moment. Much of it is disarray and confusion and it gets rather boring towards the end. But hey, I think the first halves are really cool stuffs that sound like nothing on earth, or at least on this island city. By '93, they released a second demo titled "Nocturnal Sacrament", which is as much satanic but lost a whole lot of that funny-core elements from their earlier demo and delving more into that dark and serious business of black metal. But I am the type who rather embrace the nonsense.

 

BLOOD ANGEL Demo '92

DEATH SQUAD Demo '90

DEATH SQUAD- These satanic black/death metal maniacs are from my neighbourhood in Marsiling (hailz!) and they released one of the most desecrating demo I have ever heard from the Singaporean scene, second only to ABHORER and XTREME OBSESSION. Their debut demo is "Hallucination" released in '90 and they went by the lineup of Din (vocal), Syidi (guitar), Jai (bass) and Mimi (drums). Credits must be given to the vocals for it is undoubtedly the most cruel and rawest I have heard in Singapore, surpassing all manner of roars from hordes of the most satanic legions! The music is what I'd describe as simplistic, primitive black/death metal that thrashes in the simplistic fashion from NECROVORE to HELLHOUSE and they have some more varied portions that reminds a little bit of psychodeath MUTILATED. When the demo begins, it lets down abit after the intro "Lucifers Scream" into "Visionary Destructor" which is a little wet behind the ears. But once past that, it is perdition hearse of no return, with "Hallucinatory" and "Cryptical Depocintory" leading EXTREMELY furious death thrashing numbers that can evoke pretty nasty pictures of inferno and Satan. After hearing this (as well as a host of other similar tapes), it surely makes me ponder why there are so many desecrating bands from Singapore... Perhaps something to do with the weather? Anyway, this band later evolved into PANDEMONIUM.

 

DEBAUCHERY Demo '92

DEBAUCHERY performing "Rites of Profanity"!

DEBAUCHERY - With member from the old band CEMETRY, one of the staple of Ghim Moh death thrashers also including SADIST, this band could have been more successful if the Singaporean underground wasn't such a cruel place to begin with. Black metal bands come upon the shores of the underground in the beginning of the '90s with the "old-schoolers" shoving sands at them. So, DEBAUCHERY retaliated with defiance by releasing one of the most high class black/death metal tape from Singapore in '92, titled "Spirit Of Barbuelis". Its relevance to much of today's "unholy black metal" certainly earned them much cult followings from overseas. I was wrong in my previous reviews of the tape to slag them off due to stupid prejudice but I must ascertain now that this is indeed material that everybody should check out, after a fairer listen. They went by the rank of Infernal Abominator (chanters and guitars), Teutonic Guardian (guitars), Aemonius Daemon (bass) and Abysmal Impaled (drums) and released several awe inspiring black/death metal tracks namely "Rites of Profanity", "Bestial Desecration Through Unholy Prayers" and "The Unholy Ground of Darkened Evil". They have a natural prowess with writing extremely catchy riffs and songs, but they also spent a little too much details on some irritating keyboards and female backup vocals, which is rather disapproving from my side. The controversy surrounding the band goes back to accusations as false-satanists, with the greatest trouble from It of ABRUPTUM, who used to be a "brother-band" of DEBAUCHERY with lyrical contributions and whatnot, but later spreaded shit that the members are false due to not writing correspondences in blood (which sounds childish in every apparent ways). Hence an effigy was made for easy abuse. The band had went far ahead in the future and evolved into EIBON which released a full length album.

 

DEMISOR Demo '90

DEMISOR- Kings of Singaporean Grindcore!

DEMISOR - When it comes to grindcore, one regular name kept springing up in the Singaporean metal underground and it is DEMISOR, the very epitome of that "filthy grindcore, noise(!!!)" scrawled across the demo cover. They found lividity in the sores of the society and conveyed their consciousness in the most extreme aggression ever put onto recording media. Started in '87 as a cover band doing some original songs, it had the first stable lineup in the form of Azizi (aka Bob, the editor of "EVIL ROTTING" zine on guitars),  Iskandar  (aka Botak, the editor of "LIVING CORPSE" zine on vocals), Zulkefil (bass) and Khairul (aka Dol on drums) and recorded "Mesectomy" Rehearsal/Demo '90. I'm not exactly a fan of grindcore but this tape appeals alot to me as well as a host of new grindcore startups from that era like RANCID DECAY. Their brand of straight forward noise grind has a little bit of IMPETIGO, DEATHCORE, IMPULSE MANSLAUGHTER and WEHRMACHT strewn all over the place, raw punk bearing no relent and compromise. Some of my favourites are "Mental Deterioration Ponderosity", "Mesectomy", "Insatiable Masturbation" (what a title!) and "H.I.V.". This bloody tape was handnumbered as well, so it makes it ever more rare. DEMISOR has certainly attained a cult-like status over the years as one of the premier grindcore band from this region, as well as a host of EP releases to justify their followings, which I can say is immense throughout Asia from Indonesia to Japan. This band is one of the living legends, alive and breathing into the future.

The "Awesome Terrors" of DREAD!

DREAD - This one is simply a riot. Featuring death metal gangsters from Haig Road and Bedok in the rank of Sulaiman (guitars), Roslan (guitar and growls), Zulkifli (bass) and Jumadi (drums), this abomination saw the light of the day from the middle of '88 although from some other sources the inception went as far back as '86. Needless to say, they managed to come up with one demo by the title "Awesome Terror" in '89 and you'd swear blackened death noise grind thrashcore couldn't be more nefarious than the fitting DREAD moniker. The tape hisses ear-splitting distortion and mangled noise but they had talents in putting crazy lines into the riffs, and the groove hits the spot as the thrasher courses through such intense numbers like "Torment, Scream & Death" (you'll chant along to the chorus!) and the awesome title track "Awesome Terror". The crude, noisy nature is shared by bands like DEATH SQUAD and XTREME OBSESSION but of course these dreadful guys were the real veterans of the Singaporean death thrash underground and they have alot more grooves, catchiness from point to point with more weird ideas and thrashings and not forgetting those soul ripping leads. While the demo was trashed by normal presses it did received good reviews in extreme zines like the 4th issue of the cult "MORBID MAGAZINE" from '89 as one of the most outstanding new bands in the column inches.

 

EURONYMOUS - Yes, we had bands going by the name of BELIAL, BEHEMOTH, ANATHEMA and here we have EURONYMOUS.. hehe, wonder where they got that name from? "Surrender Unto Evil" was their first and probably last demo released in '91, and this unit from my neighbourhood Marsiling was made up of Didi (vocals), Imdra (guitars), Wayne (bass) and Budi (drums n' backing vocals). I'd put them in the same league as DREAD, INFIDEL and XTREME OBSESSION, a motley lot of insane and offbeat blackened death thrash metal that drips with the ever omnipresent South American flavour but the musicians behind EURONYMOUS had some really novel idea, albeit poorer proficiency in handling their instruments. Nor forgetting an awful intro with some kids whimpering in darkness. Tracks like "Surrender Unto Evil", "Euronymous" and "Rising Of The Darkness" are vile satanic numbers with interesting variation (yes they aren't repetitive like say INFIDEL) from groovy midtempo thrasher to straight, blazing bestial poundings. On "Bring The Heaven Down", the guitarist experimented with a more melodic approach that gave a chilling revelation of black metal tunes from a much later age. What visionary could the guitarist be as such tunes were  not heard of in '91!? But then did anybody even know that Malaysia's RATOR heavily influenced BEHERIT and ROTTING CHRIST? Or how NEBIRAS was part of the influence behind DARKTHRONE's "A Blaze In The Northern Sky" LP (Agatho Daimon in the thanklist refers to NEBIRAS leader) ? Well, who would really care for some isolated corners of South East Asia these days? Another sad forgotten chapter in the history of metal, no doubt.

EURONYMOUS Demo '91

FRACTURED SKULL Demo '91

FRACTURED SKULL - By '91, there are a substantial number of death thrashcore bands with one demo out in the circuit. FRACTURED SKULL was not heard of after this release, but somebody please tell me if this Burhanudin "Skullbanger" is the same guy in MANIFEST (Singapore's SOULFLY so as to speak)? The demo was released under Metaltrax and the lineup consists of Burhanudin "Skullbanger" (guitars/vocals), Imran "Bonecrusher" (bass), Ramlan "Mindgrinder" (rhythm guitar) and Imran "Skinpounder" (drums, same Imran?). The DEATH and SLAYER influences are obvious; these guys understand the sorcery behind thrash rhythms and the drums are possessed by Dave Lombardo. Also, the guitarists are perhaps the most vicious and technical for that time, sort of completing the SLAYER reference. Some of the song titles like "The Ballad Of Two Fools" (yes, they are anti-relationships!) and "Desecrated Youth" may sound stupid but they are ultra-wicked deathgasms hardcore! Titles that do interest are the conventional "Thrash Till Death" and "Infernal Torment", which pretty much live up to the wicked game.

 

IMPIETY invocating "The Seventh Goatspawn"!

IMPIETY - The KINGS of BLACK METAL in Singapore! If you don't know this band, then where have you been all the while? Listening to black metal?  This band is immensely well known from Finland to Brazil and they have already released their third full length on Osmose Productions to this date. The story all began with a disillusioned Ariffeen Goatlord Cunt-shredder/Goatvulva Lacerator, otherwise known as Mr Shyaithan, who way back in '88 conceived the band SEXFAGO with Roslan (later goes to TETRAGRAMMATON and then became real gay and wimped out) and earlier on also with Gaddafi (MAYHEM FORCE). The name easily explains that this pervert digs SEXTRASH and SARCOFAGO. Hooking up with members from LIBATION, LEVIATHAN and INFIDEL, they released under the unholy moniker of IMPIETY their debut demo/promo tape in '92 titled "Ceremonial Necrochrist Redesecration". This is an extremely raw piece of work, but with tracks like the title track "Ceremonial Necrochrist Redesecration", "Pentagramathron" and "Fallen Blasphematory", the demo immediately won praises from the international underground. At that time of release, the lineup in the tradition of the BLASPHEMY mischief was "The Third Fallen Necro-Angelfornicator" (Necro-drums Desecration), "Xul, Deolated Demon of Plutonic Lust" (Ritual Witchbitchery Guitarz of Acheron) and of course our "Goatlord Cunt-shredder & Goatvulva Lacerator" (Demonic Divinitions & Bloody Bass Baptism). They managed to clinch an EP deal with Shivadarshana Productions, in the form of "Salve The Goat- Iblis Exelsi" 7" EP in '93. This release was subsequently pressed in limited pressings by Fudgeworthy. Now this EP had the controversial bit of their anti-Norwegian statement and of course, the harshest of critics easily find convenience at such a blatant target. This was written in response to the racist attitudes demonstrated by some racist Norwegian black metallers at that time, most notably the pinnochio Mortiis. Anyway, in '96, they finally came up with a debut CD, titled "Asateerul Awaleen" on digipack. At that time, they've changed from the old-school desecrating black death metal style to a more modern approach. Their cassette EP release "Funeralight" followed in '97 on Ultra Hingax (originally scheduled to be released in MCD... and for my overseas friends who question the existence of this release, I will say yes, it certainly did existed!) This time also signals tension with their drummer Iblyss, and it's not after sometime that their enmity with AS SAHAR was well known in the Singaporean underground. Their breakthrough came with the phenomenal release of "Skullfucking Armageddon" on Dies Irae, an album that should be in every decent black metal collection. They found their identity here, which flows with the antiquity of primordial black thrash, and the album earned rave reviews in many publications. At that time, yet another trouble was stirred with their conflict with Dies Irae boss Ayong (Dajjal). Subsequently, they moved on to Osmose Productions and recently proclaimed warfare upon mankind with "Kaos Kommand 696" release. The future? Blacker than ever.

 

IMPIETY Demo '92

IMPIETY 7" EP '93

ITNOS - Here we have evil blackened death metal from the band previously known as LIBATION! ITNOS stands for "In The Name Of Satan" and their music easily live up to the moniker. They were one of few black/death metal bands from Singapore to have actually gotten an EP deal, and this one "Christ Mary Bitch" was released by the Dutch Superior Creations in '94, handnumbered to 500 copies, but it is rare even right here in Singapore. The lineup goes like Necromanism (bass, vocals), Abominathroe (guitars) and Demoncia (drums). Two tracks are found on this 7 "EP, namely "Massacre Of The Innocents" and "Christ Mary Bitch", both of which are really screwed black demonic death metal, not as simplistic as many desecrating bands from their times, but bestial like every band that broke Bidadari's crosses should be. They were also rather well known in the underground for their collective anger against Ludo for failing to put them on "Vociferous and Machiavellan Hate" compilation CD (hey Ludo, just slack on those intros and concentrate on real metal!), but eventually they managed to appear on Ground Zero's "Infinite Vision of Hell" compilation CD on the international level. The band was broken up a while ago, but they reformed somewhere in '99 as DOXOMEDON, with some releases in their belt.

 

ITNOS 7" EP '94

LIBATION Demo '91

LIBATION - The band was previously known as MUMBRA (and before that as LEVIATHAN and way way before that as RECTUM) and back then, they played a more brutal death metal oriented style. When they became LIBATION, they were also caught on this BLASPHEMY/SARCOFAGO waves like many a disciple from Bidadari graveyards, playing desecrating blackened death metal. The lineup was Necrocarnivore (growls), Abominator (guitars), Leprophilliac (bass) and Demonomancer (drums). Some of the members were from the INFIDEL lineup and interchanged with IMPIETY. On this demo tape from '91 titled "Sanctimonius Offerings", the songs are ugly and bestial as hell, approaching a kind of evil sickness and filth on the levels of ABHORER and XTREME OBSESSION. Tracks like "Benighted Obsequies" and "Reign Of Enmity" are some of the key signature numbers of this ugly unit. The band was at that time considered by some conceited "old-schoolers" as a mere ABHORER carbon copy, but then how many bands actually wanted to indulge in such degree of depravity? In my opinion, this is easily the best tape to come out from '91, and perhaps for the few years to come (that is before ABHORER released the mighty 7" EP and full length).  "Not for sale in Singapore" was written in the liner notes, as this one was really meant to be international underground item, but shouldn't them be more supportive of the Singaporean underground. But people are really influenced by the attitude set by ABHORER. The shady me of course managed to get my hands on a copy. This band subsequently metamorphosised into the infamous band known as ITNOS.

 

MARTYRDOM - Another of the famous northern district band, MARTYRDOM could be the premier death/grindcore band if that title wasn't already usurped by DEMISOR (and by the way, MARTYRDOM did the BEST of NAPALM DEATH you could ever ask for). When I first heard their Promo/Rehearsal '92, I knew they had tremendous potential with their excellent delivery of the brutal grindcore we hear from the early to mid-era NAPALM DEATH and of course classic TERRORIZER, with those extremely guttural growls that put Barney in shame as well as the fiery ball of positive energy in its raw, savaging grindcore essence. Then in '94, the last that I heard from the band comes in a high class pro-printed demo release titled "Creation Of Souls", which continues much of the grindcore legacy with a more powerful productions and modern death metal glaze. The lineup consisted of Imran (guitars), Ahmad (guitars), Johanis (bass and vocals) and Azli (drums and backing vocals). Some of the old tracks like "Demised of Innocents" are here (we won't hear another "Chronic Napalm"), but the new ones "Propaganda Manoeuvre", "Perpetual Deception" are equally devastating. I haven't heard anymore from the band, but things have been pretty quiet in the north side recently? Blame it on Lee Kwon Seng (ha just kidding!).

MARTYRDOM Demo '94

MARTYRDOM stuck in "Oblivious Reality"...

MORBIUS - There is one band that could be considered on par or even better at old-school blackened death metal than the cult band BELIAL, and MORBIUS becomes the name that was dropped so often in the early '90s. This band from Bedok South had over the few releases of their demos being a consistent outfit with Fajar (drums), Zama (guitars), Imran (vocals, guitars) and Hashik (bass). Their first demo released in '92 feels like a very professionally recorded release when the intro was leading into the tape. When "Black Truth" opens, you'd swear you're listening to TREBLINKA's first demo! The guitars are totally undistorted, exuding a very sick presence when the strings are strung but the lead guitars are still eager to shred all over the place! There are variety in the drummings, all the way through "Shadows" to "Domination" and the vocals are somewhere in the rough, growly range of ABHORER. On the second demo from '93, the guitar sound is finally blessed with reasonable distortion gain, and the musical proficiency has increased tenfold, this time playing a more complex death metal that anybody could desire. Their tracks are like mother of all evils like "Evil Rites", "Legions Of Hate", "Thy Lord Awaits Thee (In Hell)" and "Chimaera's Den" and it indeed is a very blackened listening experience. Rumours abound that they've recorded their third demo but it has been quite some time already.

 

MORBIUS Demo '92

MORBIUS Demo '93

MORBIFIC - Tragedy strikes at the band towards the end of the recording of the second demo aptly titled "Obscure Dreams" in '93, as the drummer/vocalist Kamal died after a coma. So, upon completion, the demo is released in memory of this fellow death thrasher as stated in the inner sleeves. They were a trio when they first started, having released the "Realm Of Blood" demo which according to sources is 4 tracks of brutal death metal with evil, satanic references. During the release of the second demo "Obscure Dreams" in '93, the band is left as a duo, namely Kamal (on vox, drums) and Wahid (on guitars, bass). This release was also arguably the strongest work from these dedicated deathsters from the northern districts of Yishun, a scene which picked up considerably from '92 onwards. Their music being the thrashy technical death metal sort inspired by the superior American death metal bands like EXMORTIS and REVENANT, churning out vile numbers like "Undying Lust", "When Death Draws Near" and of course the title track "Obscure Dreams". Little is known of the band after the second demo, except that they've got a new lineup for the third one.

MORBIFIC Demo '93

MUTATION Demo '91

MUTATION- If there is one definitive death metal band from Singapore, it's gotta be MUTATION, quite possibly the first "modern" death metal band from Singapore in every proper sense. They were also notably exceptional for been led by Chinese deathsters (except Ayong) which is not very common in the history of Singaporean extreme metal to this date. Anyway, the lineup of this unit goes by Roy Yeo (vocals), Yiu Leng Hiang (guitars, bass) and Ayong (drums) of which the latter is one of the best drummer in Singapore to date and had played in LEVIATHAN and the legendary hardcore band STOMPING GROUND, before forming the DIES IRAE label with Razali from PROFANCER as well as drumming hellstorm for the second IMPIETY record. They released their debut demo in '91, titled "Malignant Existence" with that enviable pro-printed  cassette sleeves and a novel coverart illustrated by Herman Seet. Five tracks are rather lowly mixed and recorded on tape, inclusive of an intro and an outro. "Nocturnal Reincarnation", "Cannibalistic Horror" and "Demon Seeds" are top notched death metal numbers in the brutal veins, casting a web of intricacy with the monstrosity of chuggings and death growls, and the drums are the making of legends with that old-school flair meets technical obsession. This demo is one of the landmark in Singaporean death metal and of course MUTATION was also duely recognised in the overseas, which can be attested in the thanklists of SENTENCED, SEANCE, BELIAL, etc. They released a recording in '92 meant for an EP but it was canned and they R.I.P. after it. Roy Yeo went on to form his PULVERISED label, which signed many Swedish black/death metal bands.

NUCTEMERON showing us "The Unexpected"!

NUCTEMERON Demo '88

NUCTEMERON Demo '90

NUCTEMERON- Shiver under its primeval presence! The GODS, the architects of genesis, the start of it all began at Haig Road in Eunos, not far away from the central districts of mat rock origins. Originally there was the legendary FORCE MELISSA but it split up to become STUKAS and NUCTEMERON. NUCTEMERON (you can easily guess who's their influence?) was conceived in late '87 by Jani (guitars) and Khalid (bass) as well as a very kept secret of a coupled rest of guys from the TRANSGRESSOR (Singapore's answer to MERCILESS!) lineup, one of them was even from the ridiculously indie NUNSEX (!!!). They play their wares as a death thrash metal band (but the latter mentioned lots were only there temporarily), perhaps the first of its kind in Singapore when it comes to extreme metal music. Several months later, Omar (drums) joined the unholy union and they released unto the earth the death metal cult demo "The Unexpected" in '88, which was actively distributed to a number of places overseas and gotten several acclaimed features, like in the infernally infamous Satsuki Takashima's "SATANIC DEATH" zine issue 4 of July '89 the editor even exclaimed, "I can not believe where death metal scene from Singapore, but they are living in Singapore!" So, Singapore!!??? And even Ronny Eide (SADUS' European Kill Team/MORBID MAG) exclaimed  "I personally liked most of it, even though I'm surprised I did"!!! On this demo, you can feel the sinister aftertouch of early SODOM coursing through its veins, from "Legacy" and "Transitation" to "Swirling Blackness" and "Silent Sorrow". The vocals is an enthusiastic emulation of Tom Angelripper in his most wicked form, and the music is given the most apt description of "witching metal", with ultra primitive death thrashing / hardcore rhythms and unrelenting drum syncopations. Then up next, the unit released a second self-titled demo in '90 containing four tracks of improved death thrashers namely "Unknown Destination", "Out of Shredded Soul", "The Unexpected" and "Euthanasia". The productions this time is top notched (probably even rivals the PROFANCER tape of that time!) and it is quite a professional package to say the least (except for as usual, the shitty coverart). Their parts are tighter and heavier, and Jani when not doing witching tremolos will go for well thought out staccato thrash. After the release, to the dismay of total death thrash metal devotees from Singapore and overseas, they went R.I.P. in '91, and it seems like a decade later that smart entrepreneur Jani started getting these two demo tapes onto private CDR releases for the few who still remember this legend. I have a copy of that by the way.

PROFANCER in "Act of Aggression"

PROFANCER Demo '90

PROFANCER - A regular name in the Singaporean underground in the early '90s, this band is another legendary act pivotal to many other bands formed at a later date like XASTHUR, IMPIETY, BEHEADED NASRANI, PROFANATION, ABBATORY, etc. Formed in '87 under the evil influences of MORBID ANGEL, early SEPULTURA, etc, they released an important Singaporean black/death metal classic demo tape in '90 titled "Rest Without Peace", which became rather widely acclaimed in the underground although the demo was pressed for only 25 copies in Singapore (with some streaming out overseas). The original lineup went by Azman (voice), Razali (bass), Shahid (guitars) and Iskandar (drums) and they employed a brilliant 24-tracks productions for the demo recording, which easily made it one of the best sounding demo of that time. Three tracks of total morbid metal are featured here, and they usually possess extremely primitive yet catchy death metal rhythms, some driven on mid-tempo like the opener "Rest Without Peace" which exudes the total hardcore/crossover appeal while on "Morbid Fate" and "Act Of Aggression", the frenzied rhythms surfed at a rather bestial speed, in an insane possessed manner that crushes with no relent, bleeding the South American maniacal blood like every decent Bedok bands. They had R.I.P. since then, leaving behind a legacy of morbidity unsurpassed.

RUDHRA Demo '95

RUDHRA swearing by the oath of Kali Yuga!

RUDHRA - RUDHRA was the name of the band before the shortened RUDRA took over the hearts of a many Singaporean extreme metal fan with their high standards of technical death metal. I admire this band to no end, 'cos they were one of the MOST ORIGINAL extreme metal band I've ever experienced in my lifetime in Singapore and they really opened up a new dimension in the genre of death metal, namely their brand of "Vedic Metal", which exudes the proud Indian culture with their choice of instrumentations and scales they play. Also these metal heads are from hometown Marsiling (hailz again!) and I believe they have been around since the early '90s where they were featured on the "Made In Singapore"compilation tape from Mouse Records (with their most excellent track "Armageddon") which led to their fame in the underground. In '95, they released their debut demo titled "The Past", which is basically still brutal, technical death metal. At that time, the lineup was as follows, K.Kathi (Bass, vocals), P.Shiva (Drums), M.Bala (Guitars), S.Selvam (Guitars). Yes, they were all Indians and they are undoubtedly the first Indian death metal band in history! Their recent successes even set path for the metallers in India to follow! All the tracks are excellently executed, like "Dwelling In The Unknown" and "Necrophilia". To this date, they have already released three full lengths, and they are responsible for bringing the "Vedic Metal" sound upon the shores of the underground. One of the Singaporean bands that certainly do us proud!

 

SEVENTH GATES - The Singaporean underground witnessed a new generation of bands that played black metal music in the second wave, typically modelling the stylistics of such bands like SAMAEL and VARATHRON. No guesses here, SEVENTH GATES sound like our favourite heroes. Some of the oldhands in the trade see red with a bunch of "inverted crossed" teenagers doing the "Plaza Singapura" circles and so of course we have a blacklist that began with this unholy name, as well as BEHEMOTH, DEBAUCHERY and BLOOD ANGEL. Of course that didn't do good in the then deteriorating scene. Originally known as SEVENTH SATAN before the change of the band name, it was made up of Thoth (guitars), the original member of the band and addition of new members Vicious Adar (vocals, bass), Bogomil (guitars, backing vocals) and Memphisto (drums) as the recording lineup for SEVENTH GATES in '92. Nearing the end of '92, their debut demo "Crucified By Dawn" was released upon the infernal masses and of course up to different responses. Typical of a black metal completist they have an intro and an outro, which to many of course is just pure fillers with those bells and such. However, as "Forgotten Christ", "Crucified By Dawn" and "Gates Of Hell" were strung with dead passion, it rocks its way along with simple syncopated patterns, to what is known as unimaginative melodic chords of the AS SAHAR school and at times slowing down to SAMAEL/BEHEADED NASRANI-like doom. But all in all enjoyable.

 

SILENT SORROW "Suffering in Silence"...

SEVENTH GATES awaiting to be "Crucified By Dawn"!

SILENT SORROW - Here is another Singgaporean band that has all Chinese in the lineup (like the cult thrashcore act OPPOSITION PARTY and to a lesser extent MUTATION), which is a good sign thus showing that death metal curse is spreading everywhere, regardless of race and creed. Evil knows no boundary! Well, if you're confused, let me just explain that in Chinese culture, if you like such noises like heavy metal, there's something wrong with you. So there is definitely something wrong with me as well. The bandname SILENT SORROW is no doubt inspired by NUCTEMERON's cult song. They released a demo titled "Mental Obliteration" in '91 and they have two well known death metal songs "Suffering In Silence" and "Pain Breeder". The lineup at that time was Danny (lead vocals, lead guitar), Pann (lead guitar), Lim (bass) and Dean (drums). Their style is somewhat typical of the early '90s, recalling the brutal storms from GRAVE and IMMOLATION; having mentioned that band also speaks of  their excellent grasp with their instruments. While Pann was really one hell of a death metal lead guitarist (possibly the BEST around!), he later moved on to form an alternative U2-influenced group by the name of CONCAVE SCREAM.

VRYKOLAKAS - After Khairil (Nefarrious) left BESTIAL COLONY, he sought the succor of Shafiee and Herman from the notorious black/death metal band DEMONIAC and together they formed TUMULUS. When Herman left, Khairil and Shafiee both conceived the morbid visions of darker black metal and hence VRYKOLAKAS was formed. They had their debut demo out in '92 with only few copies distributed in Singapore and much more streaming out overseas, and here Khairil was known as "Morbid Chanter of The Satanic Rites of Devil Worship" (drums, bass and vocals) while Shafiee was "Hellish Creator of Necromantic Chimes Obscured by Darkness" (guitars), all in the infamous Ross Bay tradition of BLASPHEMY and later on IMPIETY. The demo has three tracks of infernal black death metal darkness namely "The Necromantic Evocation", "The Lord Of Vrykolakas" and "Baptism To Beelzebub", very evil, simplistic and desecrating in the good old Bidadari spirit. After the demo, Shafiee left, leaving Khairil who then played in PROFANATION, GROUNDED TRUTH and eventually resurrecting VRYKOLAKAS somewhere in the late '90s.

VRYKOLAKAS Demo '92

XTREME OBSESSION Demo '90

XTREME OBSESSION - This is the last bannd featured in the bands list but definitely not the least. If the SARCOFAGO wave did any good to the metal lunatics in Singapore, then this one is the hero of the asylum. Their infamous name promises "death eternally till hell awakens" and X.O. becomes not the convenient label for premium alcohol. The "Obsessed" demo from '90 is truly one of the most DESECRATING blackened death thrashing demo I've heard (alright, I've kind of repeated this many times for many other bands here, but I'd like to reiterate that this band is truly a scary black listening experience), sort of reminding me of DREAD and INFIDEL, only that you feel a sense of dread when you allow the tracks to pummell your head. The lineup on the demo is Nik (vocals), Hai (guitars), Burn (bass) and Axor (drums). The guitars are rancous grinding and flies insanely between the second to fourth album era BATHORY, under black exorcism with bestial vocals commanding bloody vengeance! All the four tracks here are raw, disgusting but excellent unholy soulreapers, from "Termination", "Seduction" to "Blind Faith" and "Obsession". Such a band of course would have been best forgotten like a dark, dirty (Victoria's) secret.